Panthers DL Tershawn Wharton remains sidelined, restructures contract image
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Toiling off to the side as his Carolina Panthers teammates stretched for the start of Friday's NFL practice, injured defensive tackle Tershawn "Turk" Wharton continued his rehabilitation with a team trainer.
The two-time Super Bowl champion grinded his way through several drills, including repetitions attacking a tackling dummy. The exercises appeared designed to test the endurance of his surgically repaired neck.
Starting on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, the seven-year veteran will not dress for the Panthers' Week 1 matchup against the visiting Chicago Bears on Sunday. Coach Dave Canales on Friday did not offer a timeframe for Wharton's return, citing the medical staff's treatment schedule.
"Team doctors are all over this," Canales said. "What I see right now ... he looks explosive. He's fit. He's ready to go. Of course, it's just about structural integrity and making sure he's ready to rock.
"(Team doctors) will be able to give us the nod when he's ready to go."
Panthers' Tershawn Wharton remains sidelined with big bonus
In the meantime, Wharton agreed to help the team financially by restructuring his contract. By converting $12.2 million of his salary into a signing bonus, the front office created $9.7 million in salary cap space, according to Spotrac.com.
Wharton signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Panthers before last season. Hampered by a series of injuries, he appeared in nine games last season, registering 36 total tackles and two sacks.
When asked about Wharton's new deal, Canales declined to comment.
"I won't talk about the contract," he said, deflecting the question to the team's executive vice president of football operations and salary cap guru. "That'll be more of a Brandt Tilis conversation."
MORE: Panthers DL Cam Jackson embraces Tershawn Wharton's coaching
With Wharton sidelined, the defending NFC South champions will face the Bears at Bank of America Stadium with four first- and second-year defensive tackles. Rookie Lee Hunter could start between former All-Pro Derrick Brown and veteran Bobby Brown III in the Panthers' 3-4 base defense. Undrafted free agent Aaron Hall also could receive rotational snaps.
Brown, who played all 17 games after missing most of '24 with a knee injury, continues to set the pace.
"The type of effort that he practices with, that he plays with, shows the style of football that we're looking for," Canales said. "Derrick Brown jumps off the tape. (There's) no better room for Lee Hunter and Aaron Hall to be in.
"I love that they get to see that firsthand and I'm excited to see those guys play their first regular season football game."
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